Taiz
Ta'izz | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Country |  Yemen |
| Governorate | Ta'izz |
| Population (2003) | |
| • Total | 460,000 |
| Time zone | UTC+3 (Yemen Standard Time) |
Ta'izz ([تعز Taʿizz] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help)), or Taiz, is a city in the Yemeni Highlands, near the famous Mocha port on the Red Sea, lying at an elevation of about 1,400 metres above sea level. It is the capital of Ta'izz Governorate. With a population of over 600,000 in 2005, it is the third largest city in Yemen after the capital Sana'a and the southern port of Aden.
Ta'izz has a dramatic setting where the roads run up and down the mountain sides. Above the city rises the 3,006 metres high Sabir Mountain. The city is famous for the ancient Jewish Sharab.
History
Overview
The name of the city appeared first at the 6th century of Hijra, 12th CE, when CEO Mahdi, the brother of Salah ad-Din, arrived in Yemen in the year 1173 CE. Ta'izz was refortified by Salah ad-Din’s brother, Taktakeen, the Ayyubid.
The second Rasulid King, Almaddhafar (1288 CE), established Ta'izz as the second capital of the Rasulid Dynasty after Zabid. Ibn Battutah visited Taiz in the fourteenth century and described it as one of the largest and most beautiful cities of Yemen.
Ta'izz remained a walled city until 1948 when Imam Ahmed made it the second capital of Yemen, allowing for expansion beyond its fortified wall.
During the 2011 Yemeni uprising fighting in Ta'izz resulted in anti-government forces seizing control of the city.
Chronology
1175: Ta'izz is made capital of Yemen as it was incorporated into dominions of the Ayyubid dynasty by Turan-Shah.
1500 (approximately): The capital is moved to Sana'a by the ruler of the Taharid dynasty.
1516: Ta'izz comes under Ottoman control.
1918: The Ottomans lose Ta'iz to the new independent Yemen.
1948: Ta'izz becomes the administrative capital of Yemen, as it is made the residence of the imam.
1962: State administrations move back to Sana'a.
1960s: The first purified water system of Yemen is opened in Ta'izz
Geography
Climate
The weather in Taizz is fair and beautiful most of the time. The average daily temperature high during August is 30°C. Annual rainfall of Ta'izz may reach 760 mm to over 1,000 on Jabal Sabir per year.
Main sights
The city has many old and beautiful quarters, with houses that are typically built with brown bricks, and mosques are usually white. Most famous among the mosques are the Ashrafiya, the Muctabiya and the Mudhaffar. Also memorable are the old citadel and the governor's palace that rests on top of a mountain spur 450 metres above the city centre. It also has one of the most famous mountains in Yemen, the Saber mountain (almost 3000m above sea level), which affords panoramic views over the city. The city has a Muslim madrasa that has university status.
Economy
Since Ta'izz receives a lot of rain, its economy is mainly based on agriculture. The economic base of Ta'izz is coffee, grown in the surrounding landscape together with the mild narcotic qat and other vegetables. Among the city's own industries are cotton-weaving, tanning and production of jewellery. Ta'izz cheese is also renowned throughout Yemen.
Ta'izz today is the largest industrial base in Yemen.
Transport
Ta'izz has many road connections with the rest of the country. The city is served by Ta'izz International Airport.
Sport
The city counts 3 football clubs participating to the Yemeni League: The most important is Al-Saqr, winner of 2 championships, the other are Al-Ahli and Al Rasheed.
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